Potato planter



C. H. GE'MBERLING ET AL POTATO PLANTER Dec. 28, 1943.

Filed April 17, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 c. H. GEMBERLING- TErAL 2,338,034

Dec. 28, 1943.

' POTATO PLANTER Filed Aprily 17, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet Dec. 28, 1943. c.H. GEMBERLING ET Al. 2,338,034

PoTATo PLANTER v Filed April 17, 1940 y a sheets-sheet 3 m wfg@ BY -fDec. 28, 1943. 3. H. GEMBERLING TAIL 2,338,034

POTATO PLANTER Filed Apri-1 17, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 28, 1943.

c. H. GEMBERLING ETAL vPOTATO PLANTER Filed April 17, 1940 8Sheets-Sheet 5 y @merma/:IU

ATTORNEY. y

Dec. 28, 1943. c. H. GEMBERLING -r AL ,2,338,034

POTATO PLANTER' Filed April 17, 1940 8 sheets-sheet 6 1 fra/@@2151- 4Cameron-H079@ m, L

m f? M ATH'ORNEY.

Dec. 28, 1943. c. H. GEMBERLING ET Al.z 2,338,034

PoTATo PLANTER i Filed April 17, 1940 8 sheets-sheet 7 Dec. 28, 1943. c.H. GEMBERLINGET AL. 2,338,034

POTATO PLANTER Filed April 1'7, 1940 8 Sheets-.Sheet 8 Patented Dec. 28,1943 POTATO PLANTIER Cameron H. Gemberling and Rudolph il. Altgelt,South Bend, End., assignors to Oliver Farm Equipment Company, acorporation of Delaware Application April 17, 1940, Serial No. 330,042

8 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to potato planters, but moreparticularly to a novel and improved construction of potato planter inwhich uniformity of planting depth, accuracy of intervals between seedsand uniformity of covering is procured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedpotato planter construction in which the earth working parts such as,iirst, the fertilizing openers; second, the seed runners; third, thecoverers are all connected to the frame structure of the planter so thatthey may independently raise or fall during the planting operationwithout effecting the working operation of the other parts While bein-gdrawn over rough or uneven ground or when encountering stones andgravel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedpotato planter having a fertilizer attachment connected therewith inwhich the three earth Working tools may raise and fall independently ormay be adjusted independently of each other, or may all besimultaneously raised or lowered by the manipulation of a singlemanually operable lever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved construction of potato planter in which the runner or seedopener is suspended from the main frame by a parallel link mechanismpermitting it to independently rise and fall with respect to the frameand having means associated therewith to effect an adjustment of thedepth penetration of the runner.

A stili further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved potato planter in which the fertilizer disc yopeners aresuspended on push bars having their rear ends pivoted to the framestructure in such a manner that the bearings of the discs are positionedbelow the pivot of thepush bars so as to permit the discs toindependently roll over stones Without disturbing the balance of themachine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of potato planter and an associated fertilizing attachmentwhich permits a variety of adjustments so that the fertilizer may bedeposited deeper or shallower than the seed if desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved construction of a potato planter having a fertilizer attachmentassociated therewith and in which these mechanisms are so operativelyassociated and arranged in close proximity to one another so as toinsure correct and accurate spacing of the fertilizer with respect tothe seed, even when the machine is operating on a hillside.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of potato planter in which the fertilizer container isp-ivotally mounted on the frame so that the same can be tilted forremoving the fertilizer therefrom without disconnecting the drivingmechamsm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of fertilizer attachment for potato planter or the like inwhich means are provided for depositing fertilizerfin two equal strands,one on each side of the seed and in which adjustment is provided so asto permit the fertilizer to be deposited so that amounts ranging fromone hundred pounds to three thousand pounds per acre may be uniformlydistributed in accordance with the desire of the operator- Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a novel and improved fertilizerattachment for a potato planter or the like having means associatedtherewith for properly pulverizing the fertilizing material; means forpreventing bridging -of the material and means for properly feeding thefertilizer to the pulverizing and feeding mechanism. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of potato planter in which a novel seed housingconstruction in combination With a novel form of picker wheel not onlyinsures the approximation of one hundred percent planting of seeds ineach hill, but also prevents the possibility of depositing more than oneseed in each hill.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedpotato planter having an adjustable floor section in the seed housing sothat a variety of sizes of seeds may be accommodated. l

A further object `oi. the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction of potato planter in which a flexible element is positionedadjacent the path of the picker wheels to assist in discharging looseseeds carried over by the picker wheel and thereby prevent the plantingof more than o-ne seed at a time.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction andan arrangement of 4 'the various parts in the manner hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring tothe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of our improved potato planter withone of the carrying Wheels removed therefrom;

Fig. Z is a similar side elevational view with certain of the partsremoved showing merely the main frame and all of the earth working toolstogether with the manual lever for operating the same;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the operating parts shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of the fertilizing attachment;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the fertilizing mechanism shown in Figs. 4and 5;

Fig. '7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 'l-l in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8 8 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View showing themanner in which the rubber agitators are wound around the shaft when thehopper is filled with fertilizing material;

Fig. l is a top plan view of the fertilizer hopper showing the manner inwhich a shield may be inserted therein for reducing the amount ofmaterial discharged therefrom;

Fig. ll is a cross sectional view taken on the line Il--ll in Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the seed shaker andpicker wheel housing;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detailed top plan View of the seed housing andpicker wheel;

Fig. l is a rear elevational view of the housing and picker wheel shownin Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken on the line lli-I6 in Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken on the line l'l-H in Fig. 14;and

Fig. 18 is a top plan View of the main drive shaft and the operatingclutch mechanism.

Main frame and earth working tools In illustrating one embodiment ofoui` invention., we have shown the same as comprising a mein frame inthe form of two longitudinally extending main frame members 2l) whoseforward portions as shown at 2l converge and are secured to a tongue ordraft member 22. Secured. adjacent the rear ends of tbe main framemembers 2d are suitable bearing brackets 23 in which is journaled a maindrive axle 24. Mounted on the opposite ends of the axle 24 foroperatively driving the same through the medium of conventional typeclutches 25 are carrying or driving wheels The main frame members Z!)are prowitb forward transverse brace members 21 and (See Fig. 3.) Theoppositely disposed bearing brackets 23 and frame members 2! arereinforced by a .rear transverse frame member Z9. Secured to thelongitudinally extending main frame members 2b and offset inwardlytowards one another are longitudinally extending and parallel.supplemental frame members 3) and 3l. Secured to each of thesupplemental frame members and 3i and to the transverse brace member bymeans of bolts 32 are downwardly eX- tending and slightly rearwardlyprojecting hanger brackets Pivotally connected` at the opposite sides asshown at 34 to the rear end of the frame members 2l@ is a disc covererframe, generally indicated by' the reference character 35. The frame 35in this instance is substantially U- CII shaped in construction and isprovided with a plurality of apertures as shown at 36 by means of whicha pair of disc axle bracket 3l may be adjusted inwardly or outwardlywith respect to one another. clamping portions il@ in which areadjustably mounted standards 3d. Secured to the lower ends of thestandards 39 are discs 33. Fivotally mounted as shown at 4l to each ofthe lower ends of the depending hangers 33 are cranks 42. Formedintegrally with each of the cranks 42, through the medium of a hub orbearing it is a short crank dil. The free end of each of the cranks dllis pivotally connected as shown at 45, to the lower ends of each oi thelinks db. The upper ends of each of the links fifi are connected asshown at dl to the frame 35. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) The free ends of eachof the cranks lf2 are pivotally connected to rods L13. The Lipper endsof these rods i8 are slidably mounted in knuckles 49. Embracing the rodsil@ are adjustable clamping collars 50. Mounted between each of theknuckles Il@ and adjustable collars Eil is a spring 5l which normallyholds the discs S8 yieldingly depressed in earth working position.Journaled in suitable oppositely disposed bearings, generally indicatedby the reference character 52 and each of the brackets 23 is atransverse rock shaft 53. Formed integrally with or welded to, at spacedapart positions adjacent the center of the shaft 53, are forwardlyextending arms 54. Pivotally mounted adjacent the free ends of each ofthe arms 54 and by means of the spacer brackets 55 are the knuckles 49hereinbefore de" scribed. These brackets 55 are secured to the arms 54by means of bolts Secured to one end of the shaft 53 by means of a keyand clamping bolt 5l is an operating hand lever 5d. Formed integrallywith the lever 58 is a rearwardly projecting arm 59. Pivotally securedto the arm 59 is a curved link 50 which has its forward end connected toa balancing spring 6l. The forward end of the balancing spring 6l isadjustably connected by a screw mechanism, generally indicated by thereference character 52 to an upwardly extending arm 63, which in turn,is rigid ly secured to one of the side frame members 2d. Cooperatingwith the manually operable lever Sil and secured to the side framemember 2i) is a lever sector (i4 having a locking notch 65 at its rearend and a plurality of locking notches lili at its forward end. Thelever 53 is provided with the usual detent mechanism, generallyindicated by the reference character 61, for either locking the lever inits rearmost position as shown in Figs. l and 3 of the drawings or inone of a plurality of forward positions as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings.

From the arrangement thus far described it will be obvious that upon theoperation of the manual lever 53 rearwardly the cranks 54 are raised,thereby raising the frame 35 through the medium of connecting rods 48.In other words, the operation of the lever rearwardly raises the frame35 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. l of thedrawings. lt will also be obvious that by the arrangement of having thesprings 5I surrounding the rods 8, the discs 38 and frame 35 may yieldupwardly independently of the position of the lever when someobstruction of the ground is encountered.

The next important feature of the earth working tools includes the seedopener or runner which may independently yield with respect to Thebrackets 3l are provided with vis a bracket lil.

the frame or other tools when an obstruction such as a stone isencountered. This mechanism comprises: a more or less conventionalshaped runner or seed opener, generally indicated by the referencecharacter til. Secured to the upper forward portion of Vthe opener'orshoe 68 is a bracket 69. Formed integrally with and projecting laterallyfrom thebracket (it are aXially aligned hub portions lil to the outerends of which are pivoted, as shown at il, the forward ends of a pair oflower parallel links l2. The rear ends of the links l2' are pivotallysupported on a bolt il mounted in the lowerl end of the hanger 33.Secured to the opposite sides of the bracket @9 by means of bolts 'i3are upwardly projecting draft bars lil. Pivotally connected, as shown at75, to the forward ends of the opposite parallel bars Trl are upperparallel links le. These parallel links diverge rearwardly and havetheir rearward or upper ends pivoted as shown at ll to the side framemembers 2lb. Secured to the forward ends of and between the bars 'MAdjustably mounted on the bracket lf3 by means of a bolt 'i9 is anadjustable hook or stop 8S'. The hook Sli is provided with a pluralityof apertures in which the bolt 'll may be inserted for adjusting theposition cf the hook with respect to the bracket. From the abovedescription it will be seen that the forward links l@ and rearward linkslil forni in effect a parallel link mechanism for raising and loweringthe shoe runner t@ horizontally with respect to the ground. It will alsobe noted that these parallel links extend forwardly so that when therunner engages the ground, the resistance offered by the ground willcause the runner to penetrate the ground to a point at which the hookwill engage the transverse bar or frame member 2l as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings. The depth penetration of the runner SB into the ground mayalso be adjusted by adjusting the hook lill with respect to the bracket'i8 and securing a bolt 'lll in any one of a variety of apertures 8l inthe hook all. In this connection it will also be noted that should therunner E3 engage a stone or other obstruction, the parallel linkmechanism will permit the runner to swing forwardly and thereby rideover the obstruction. When the operator desires to elevate the shoe, themanipulation of the lever 58 will cause the links or arms il to swingupwardly until the lower ends or right angularly bent portions of therods i8 engage the links 'l2 and thereby elevate the runner from theposition shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

Another important feature of the present invention embodies thelocation, operation and suspension of the disc openers for thefertilizer attachment, in that, these discs are operatively located withrespect to the seed opener by operative connections, yet each may beindependently raised with respect to the other so that if one or theother encounters some obstructions in the ground it will not elfect theposition of the other. This novel mechanism comprises two angularlydisposed concave-convex discs 82 mounted on oppositely disposed spindles83 which are formed integrally or secured together. These spindles 83are secured to the forward ends of downwardly curved bars 3i?, whichhave their rear ends diverging as shown at with their rearrnost endportions pivotally connected to the bolts M on the lower ends of each ofthe depending hangers 33. The fertilizer disc openers are suspended fordepth penetration adjustment by a chain which has its lower endconnected in any suitable manner to the spindles 33 and its upper endadjustably attached to a hook llt which in turn is secured to thetransverse frame member 2d. Obviously by shortening or lengthening thechain 85 the depth penetration of the discs 82 may be controlled. Inthis'connection it also will be observed that the rear ends of the pushb-ars 3d are pivoted to the hangers 33 on the bolt dl which is a pointabove the bearings of the discs 82. Therefore, the forward motion of theplanter has a tendency to force the fertilizer disc openers into theground. The position of the discs laterally with respect to the seedopener @S is controlled by the fact that the push bars ll extenddownwardly through the spaced bars "afl of the openers, thereby guidingthe discs 82 with respect to the seed opener When an obstruction is metit will be noted that the discs 32 may rise or fall independently of theother earth working tools. The discs 32 are lifted by the operatinglever 58 simultaneously with the other tools and by means of the brackett9 which engages the push bars ed during the lifting operation ofmanipulating the lever 53 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to thatshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this connection it will also beobserved that by having an adjustment whereby the fertilizer discopeners may be adjusted as to depth penetration, the fertilizer materialmay be deposited deeper or shallower than that of the seed. In otherwords, with this arrangement, the operator may adjust the seed and thefertilizer with respect to one another in accordance with his wishes.

Fertilizer attachment The fertilizing attachment includes a metalcontainer or hopper, generally indicated by the reference characterlil', which is attached to or secured to a container bottom or housinggenerally indicated by the reference character 88. The housing 8S isprovided with forward and rearward converging walls te and 9S, whichterminate in substantially a semi-cylindrical recess el. (See Figs. 6 to9, inclusive.) Located in the rear side of the semi-cylindrical recess9i of the housing 83 is a transverse fertilizer discharge opening t2which extends substantially throughout the width of the fertilizerbottoni or housing. Rotatably mounted in the semi-cylindrical recess Ellis a revolving crushing, conveying and disensing fertilizer mechanismwhich includes a wood roller se loosely mounted on a shaft si. One endof the shaft is journaled in a bearing S'formed integrally with thehousing lit. The other end of the shaft is journaled in a bearing @6formed integrally with a removable plate Si? which, in turn, is securedto a complementary recess 9S in the housing lill by means of bolts Q9.This removable plate permits the roller and shaft to be assembled beforeit is inserted in the cylindrical recess iii of the housing dii.Embracing the periphery of the wood roller @il are -oppositely arrangedcoil springs lull and lill. "he outer ends of each of the springs extendbeyond each end of the roller ile and have their outermost endsexten-dinginto apertures im and le-l respectively in the shaft Sti.Located in the longitudinal cenl ter andk on the inside inclined wall ofthe bottom is an upwardly projecting lug itil which has a forwardlypointed end located in the longitudinal center of the bottom B. (SeeFigs. 6 and 7.)

This lug idd is adapted to be alternately engaged by the oppositesprings ill@ and lili upon each complete rotation of the roller andshaft S4, so as to alternately compress the springs le@ and lill. Whenthe ends ofthe springs pass the lug, they will be abruptly expanded toloosen the fertilizer surrounding the roller between the coils of thesprings. This construction prevents clot,- ging and insures uniformfeeding of the material. Located in the approximate center of thefertilizer housing and journaled in suitable bearings lila in theopposite sides thereof, is a rotatable agitator shaft E Secured to theopposite sides of the shaft by means of U-shaped bolts it? and at spacedintervals throughout the length of the shaft, are oppositely arrangedsubstantially T-shaped rubber agitators idd. Obviously with theconstruction thus far described and illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9inclusive of the drawings, it will be observed that when the hopper @iland housing 33 are filled with fertilizing material, the revolving ofthe shanJ will cause the rubber agitat-ors to assume the position shownin 9, but the moment there is a sufficient reduction in the amount ofthe fertilizer in the bottom the rubber agitators Mill will becomeextended as shown in Figs. 6 and l of the drawings and pre vent abridging of the material in the bott-om proper. These gita-tors willalso perform the function of feeding the material to the crushing andfeeding roller and springs 93, l and mi, respectively.

The shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel lilii which in turn isgeared to a sprocket wheel l Ill by means or" a chain i l i. rThesprocket wheel HEI is secured to the shaft at o-ne end thereof. Securedto the other end of the shaft @Il is another sprocket wheel it?! whichis geared to a drive sprocket HS by means of a chain i is. The drivesprocket wheel H3 is loosely mounted on the drive axle ffl in a mannerwhich will hereinafter be more fully described. (See Figs. d and 18 ofthe drawings.) @ne lap of the chain lill is adapted to travel on anidler roller l l which is journaled on and adjustably supported by abracket l it. The bracket llt is adjustably supported by a verticalsupporting frame member il?. (See Figs. l and 4.) The fertilizer hopperill and botto-m are adapted to be swung from the full line position tothe broken line position in Fig. l of the drawings for removing thefertilizer therefrom. The removal of fertilizer is necessary becausecommercial fertilizer contains acids which injure metal and oftenfertilizer when standing has a tendency to caire and forms a ement whichlocks the bearings of the moving parts. In order to permit thefertilizer bottom and container to be tilted forwardly, the bottom B8 ispivotally attached as shown at lili" to oppositely positioned and rightangularly bent supporting members lill' which have their lower endssecured by bolts to the opposite frame members These Eil are furtherreinforced and braced by diagonally disposed straps ili. The containerSi and bottom ld are normally held in vertical position by a bo-lt |23which extends thro-ugh aligned apertures in opposite supporting membersil and through a spacer pipe or sleeve it i. The rear inclined wall ofthe housing is provided with downwardly projecting semi-circular slottedears 22 which are adapted to engage the transverse pipe lili formaintaining the bottom Sli and container fil' in its vertical position.(See Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7.) The rear portion of the bottom 3S is alsoprovided with centrally located notched ear |23 which is adapted toContact and rest upon the transverse frame member 28 for supporting afertilizer hopper 37 in vertical position. (See Figs. 4 and 7.)

it Will be obvious from the above description that should the operatordesire to tip the hopper and its associated bottom forwardly tothedotted line position shown in Fig. l of the drawings, this may beaccomplished by merely removing the bolt i213, Without disconnectingtheY power drive or chain lill from the driving sprocket. It will alsobe obvious that the fertilizing attachment and particularly theoperation of the moving parts thereof, may be rendered inoperative bymerely removing the drive chain I M.

In order to control the size of the opening 92 in the bottom 8S of thefertilizer, We have pro vided two oppositely disposed vanes or shutters|2 which are pivoted on their respective pivots or bolts izo. (See Figs.4, 5 and 'l of the drawings.) The adjustable shutters |2l as shown inFig. 5 of the drawings are adjusted at different positions, but undernormal operation they should be adjusted to the identical position sothat an equal amount of fertilizing material will be discharged on eachside of a central line of the longitudinal center of the opening 92 inthe hopper bottom. In order to equally divide the ribbon of fertilizermaterial being discharged through the opening 92 to each of thedistributing spouts so as to deposit the same behind the fertilizingdiscs d2, we have provided a spout or funnel receiving member, generallyindicated by the reference character |25. This spout or funnel receivingmember ift is pivotally attached as shown at |21 to oppositely disposedbrackets E23, which in turn, are secured to the transverse frame member23. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) This funnel-like member |26 is positioned belowthe discharge opening 92 of the bottom 88 so as to receive thefertilizer material there from. This member |26 is provided with anupwardly extending inverted V-shaped divider member i229, which performsthe function of splitting or equally dividing the ribbon of fertilizermaterial being discharged into the two separate spouts or funnels.Connected to the spouts or funnels are pipes or conduits itil. The upperend of these conduits are pivotally attached, as shown at |31, to therespective spouts. IThe lower ends of the tubes i3@ extend downwardlyinto opposite guides itil, which in turn, are attached to the spindlemember B3 of the oppositely disposed fertilizer discs c2. (See Fig. 3.)

In order to effectively reduce o-r comminute the amount of materialsupposed to be discharged or acted upon by the crushing and dischargingroll of the fertilizer mechanism, we have provided a removable shieldgenerally indicated by the reference character ISS. The shield i3d isadapted to be placed in the bottom 88, so as to constrict the area ofthe roller 93 exposed to the fertilizer contained therein. The sides, asshown at |34, are inclined downwardly from the side walls to the bottom,towards and in a direction of the roller so as to cover the end portionof the roller as shown at It. With this arrangement, tou gether with theadjustable shutters lill, the amount of the fertilizer discharged peracre may be controlled from one hundred, to four hundred pounds peracre. This shield 33 is preferably secured in place by a bolt |36. (SeeFigs. lil

' and 11 of the drawings.)

Pot-ato planting mechanism The seed planting mechanism in this 'instancecomprises a metallic seed hopper,'generally indicated by the referencecharacter |31, which is supported on the main frame of the potato'planter by oppositely disposed vertical supporting bars ||1. The bars||1 have their lower ends secured to the main frame members 20 as shownat |38 and their upper ends secured to the hopper by means of bolts |39.The rear portion of the hopper is supported by similar laterally spacedapart supports |40 which have their lower ends secured by means of boltslill to the opposite frame members 20, and their upper ends secured tothe hopper by means of bolts |42. Pivotally mounted on the bolt |43 andaspacer` tubing or pipe |44 by means of spaced apart brackets |45 is arearwardly inclined channellike shaker bottom |46. The opposite ends ofthe bolt |43 are pivotally mounted in the V'forward vertical supports||1. (See Figs. 1, 12 and 13.) Secured to the underside of the shakerbottom |46 is a rearwardly extending and downwardly bent arm |41 whichis provided with a roller |43. The roller |48 lies in the path of andrests upon the irregular periphery of a shaker wheel |49. The shakerwheel |49 is rigidly secured to a picker wheel shaft |50. The amount ofpotato seeds conveyed down the shaker trough |46 is controlled by anadjustable baiile or plate which is held in adjusted position by aspring and bolt mechanism generally indicated by the reference character|52, which in turn is mounted in a bracket |53. The bracket |55 issecured to the rear wall of the housing |31 by a bolt |54.

Obviously from the above description upon the rotation of the shakerwheel |49, the shaker trough |46 will be vibrated about its pivot on thebolt |43 to discharge the potato seeds down the chute into the potatohousing adjacent the picker wheel mechanism hereinafter described.Surrounding the discharge end of the chute |45 is a shield |46. Oicourse, it will be obvious that the amount discharged down the chute maybe readily controlled by adjusting the baffle or gate |5|.

Positioned adjacent to and below the discharge end of the shaker chutelfi is a picker wheel housing or casting which comprises two members orcastings |55 and |55. lThese castings |55 and |55 are bolted together bybolts |51, |58, |55 and itil. The housing is bolted to the opposite mainframe member 3@ by means of bolts 15| and |52. (See Figs. 14, 15, 16 and17.) The forward end of the picker wheel housing is enlarged so as toform in effect a potato seed well which includes an inclined wall |53upon which the potato seed is dropped from the discharge end of theshaker chute |45. In order to provide an outlet for the discharge ofsmall particles of soil and leaves from the housing, we have provided anupwardly extending elongated slot |64 at a point located along thecontacting surfaces of the castings |55 and |55. This opening or slot|64 is provided with a longitudinally extending rod |55 which has itsopposite ends bent at right angles and inserted in complementaryapertures as shown at |66. The purpose of this rod is to prevent smallseed potatoes from being discharged through the opening. Located in thebottom of the forward end of the picker wheel housing is a relativelylarge opening |61, to which is attached a shield or guide |61'. The

potato seed is discharged from `the picker wheel and `deposited in thefurrow made by therunner `or furrow opener |38 'th-rough the opening |51stopped on account of some obstruction, there are no moving parts withinlthe housing to ruin the seed or otherwise disrupt the eiiciency of theoperating parts vof the seed planting mechanism. This slip clutchmechanism comprises a clutch member |12 .secured to the shaft |55 bymeans of a pin |13. @ne face of the clutch member |12 is provided vwithclutch teeth which are complementary .to the clutch teeth vof .a ,hub|14 formed integrally with a driven sprocket wheel |15. The sprocketwheel |15 is loosely journaled on the shaft 15|) and the clutch faces ofeach of the clutch members are held in driving relationship by acompression spring |15, the tension Aof which may be vadjusted by meansof I ahorn nut |11 kmounted in threaded engagement with one end of theshaft |5e. The picker wheel shaft |59, the sprocket wheel |15 isoperatively driven by a chain |15 which `is trained about a drive,sprocket wheel |19. The sprocket wheel |19 is loosely vvmounted on theaxle 24 and formed integrally with the drive sprocket H3. (See Fig.`18.)

Another very .important feature of the present invention embodies anovel construction of picker wheel in which shields or picker strippersare formed 4integrally with the wheel and located laterally ori-set withrespect to the main body or disc-like portion of the wheel proper. Thepicker wheel in this instance, generally indicated by the referencecharacter |85, is secured to the picker shaft |50 by .a pin |81. Formedintegrally with and projecting beyond the lperiphery of the picker wheel|60 are shields or picker strippers |82. These picker strippers M12vextend radially lwith respect to the axis of the wheel andare locatedlaterally to one side of `the disc portion of the picker wheel, so as tobe more conveniently .positioned in the path of ythe .seed vin the wellof the housing of the picker, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. .In the present instance we have provided eight equallyspaced apart picker strippers or' shields |132 which are provided withsubstantially' radi-ally disposed siots |83. Pivoted on the picker wheel|85 adjacent each of the picker shields |32 and on shoulder bolts orrivets |84 are picker .arms i815.' Secured to the outer free ends `ofeach of the picker arms |85, and .adapted tov be actuated through eachof the slotted openings |53' of .the respective shields |92, are twopicker points or nails |85. The picker arms are normally actuated abouttheir pivots on the bolts or rivets |384 by means of radially disposedsprings A|151 which have their outer ends connected as shown at |35 tothe picker .arms |85 and their inner ends connected as shown at |39 toapertures in a disc |95; The disc |95 is secured adjacent the hub of thepicker Wheel by means of screws |91. Journal'ed on one side .of each ofthe picker arm-s is a roller |92. These rollers |92 are adapted totravel in the path of and be engaged by a cam or track |93. This cam ortrack |23 is formed integrally with the casting or housing section |55and extends from a point about the opening l'l in the housing to a pointadjacent the upward stroke of the picker arm carried by the pickerwheel. Formed as a continuation or extension of the track or cam |93 isa removable section ltd which lies tangent to the circular track or camand is removably secured by means of bolts |95. This track section orcam is made removable because it is subject to considerable wearinasmuch as it is this portion of the cam which engages the rollers towithdraw the nails or picks from the seeds in the operation ofdischarging the seeds from the picker wheel.

From the above description it will be obvious from an examination ofFig. 16 of the drawings, that as the seeds lie in the well or thelowermost portion of the picker wheel housing, the picker arm indicatedby the reference character |35a has its prongs or pickers |86 withdrawnfrom the adjacent shield or stripper m2, but that as the pickerindicated by ISb reaches a point where the roller |92 has about reachedthe end oi the f track as shown at igt, the prongs or picker nails |86,will be actuated by the action of the spring |87, through the slot oropening |83 to pierce or engage the seed at this point, from where itwill be carried around and discharged in a manner hereinafter more fullydescribed.

In order to accommodate seeds of different sizes we have provided anadjustable oor or housing section indicated by the reference character|91 which is pivoted on a boit |55 carried A by the housing. The sectionitl may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly through the medium of asecuring bolt |59 mounted in a slot |98 in the housing. Corrugatedwashers |99 are employed to engage corresponding or complementarycorrugations in the castings |55 and |55 to accomplish this adjustmentas clearly shown in Fig. of the drawings.

Another very important feature of the invention includes an abruptbevelled periphery 20e formed on the picker wheel |5523 between each ofthe radial arms or shields |32. rrhe bevelled portion 2&6 of the pickerwheel is continued upwardly, as shown at 26|, on the housing member |56,so as to insure that any excess seed carried over by the picker wheelwill be immediately returned to the well of the picking housing.

As further aid to prevent the carrying over of additional seed otherthan that carried by the picker prongs |89, we have provided a rubberbrush 202 which has its lower end tapered and fastened by means ofrivets 2dr to a metal strip 204. The metal strip in turn, is fastened toa ange 295 formed integrally with the casting |56 adjacent the peripheryof the picker wheel I'dii. The upper end of the brush 22 is held inplace by a screw 2M, which in turn, is mounted in threaded engagementwith the casting or housing member |56, in such a way, that the brushcurves outwardly and away from the casting, as shown at 2131, below thescrew. It will be obvious that the brush 252 is placed in closeproximity to the side of the shield or strippers |32 on the picker wheeli so that the same ejects any loose seed which is accidentally carriedby the rim of the picker wheel. The excess so ejected will be dischargedinto the well of the housing where it may be subsequently picked up bythe prongs |86 of another picker arm. With our novel construction of thepicker wheel in combination with the abrupt inclined surface of thecooperating housing and rubber brush ejector, no excess seed will becarried over by the picker wheel and no seed except that carried by thepicker prongs will be carried over the upper half of the revolvingwheel.

Cooperating with the manually controlled lever 53 for raising andlowering the earth working tools 38, 66 and 82, we have also provided aclutch control mechanism for disconnecting the power from the operativeparts of the fertilizing distributing mechanism and the seed plantingmechanism, when the earth Working tools are raised to elevated orinoperative position. This mechanism includes a clutch member or face 2Mformed integrally with the sprocket wheels ||3 and |19. (See Fig. 18.)Splined or keyed to the shaft or axle 24 is a complementary clutchmember 2%39 which is normally pressed into engagement with the clutchmember 28S by a spring 2id. The spring 2|@ is held in position underpressure by a cotter pin til extending` through an aperture in the shait2d. Secured to one of the supplemental frame members 30 is a bracket2|2. Pivoted at to the bracket 2|2 is a clutch fork 2id, which in turn,is provided with oppositely disposed lugs Ziii. rlhese lugs are adaptedto engage a flange 2id formed integrally with the clutch member 26S foractuating the splined clutch member into and out of the engagement withthe complementary clutch member 2533. The fork member 2M is pivotallyconnected, as shown at 2H, by a rod 2li?, which in turn, has its upperend mounted in threaded engagement with a fork-like member 299. Theupper end of the fork-like member 2&9 is pivotally connected by means ofa pin 22o to one of the crank arms 5d of the rock shaft 53. it will beobvious that upon the manipulation of the lever 58 to raise the earthworking tools from their ground or operative position, shown in Fig. tothe position shown in Fig. l, the rock shaft 53 will revolve to actuatethe clutch fork 2|l| to disengage the clutch members 2% and 2M. Thedisengagement of these clutch members disconnects the power from theoperative driven mechanism of the planting and fertilizing distributors.The chain tightener or idle roller l l5 may be adjusted for increasingthe tension on the belt |114 by means of a transverse strap itt whichclamps the bracket iii to the vertical post |l'i. The potato planter inthe present instance is provided with the usual operators seat 5t withineasy reach of the manual lever 58.

summarizing the advantages and function of the operation of our improvedpotato planter, it will be readily seen that we have provided a novelconstruction of picker wheel in combination with a cooperating and novelconstruction of picker wheel housing which not only insures aneiiiciency in operation of the planting unit, but also assures thedepositing or planting of one seed at a time.

In cooperation with the planting mechanism, it will be obvious that thefertilizer attachment herein described not only permits accuracy in thenumb-er of pounds per acre of `fertilizer to be deposited, but alsopermits adjustments whereby the amount of fertilizer deposited may fromone hundred, to three thousand pounds per acre in accordance with therequirements of the operator. As hereinbefore pointed out, the novelcrushing and conveying roller insures a breaking up of caked fertilizerand affords a very efficient structure which may readily adapt itself toa variety of other planting mechanisms or machines other than potatoplanters.

As hereinbefore pointed out, our novel construction and operation ofearth working tools, not only permits the raising of the fertilizingdiscs, the seed opener and covering discs independently of each other,when an obstruction is encountered in the ground, but also provides asingle manual control lever for simultaneously raising all earth workingtools from ground engaging position to inoperative position. In thisconnection it will also be noted that means are provided fordisconnecting the power or drive of the main axle from the planting andfe-rti'lizing mechanisms simultaneously with the raising of the earthwork.- ing tools out of the ground.

While in the above specification we have described one embodiment whichour invention may assume in practice, it will of course, be understoodthat the same is capable of modincation and that modification may bemade without departing from the spirit and scc-pe of the invention asexpressed in the following claims.

What we claim is our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A planter comprising a frame, earth working tools carried by saidframe including a fertilizer opener, a seed opener and a coverer, linksfor connecting said tools to said frame, means for adjusting the depthpenetration of said tools separately, the links of said fertilizeropener engageable with the links of said seed opener for guiding theformer with respect to the latter and a single operable lever forsimultaneously raising or lowering all of said tools.

2. A potato planter comprising a frame, an axle mounted on said frame,wheels for supporting said frame, a planting mechanism mounted on saidframe, a fertilizing mechanism mounted on said frame, operative drivingconnections between said axle and said planting and fertilizingmechanism, a clutch mechanism forming a part of said drivingconnections, earth working tools including a fertilizer opener, a seedopener, and a coverer mounted on said frame, connections for connectingsaid tools to said frame, certain of said connections engaging certainothers thereof for maintaining alignment of certain of said tools withrespect to each other, means for separately adjusting said earth workingtools, and a single operative lever for raising al1 of said earthworking tools and simultaneously disconnecting said clutch.

3. A potato planter comprising a frame, an axle mounted on said frame,wheels for supporting said frame, a planting mechanism mounted on saidframe, a fertilizing mechanism mounted on said frame, operative drivingconnections between said axle and said planting and fertilizingmechanisrn, a clutch mechanism forming part of said driving connections,earth working tools including a fertilizer opener, a seed opener and acoverer mounted on said frame, means for separately adjusting the depthpenetration of said tools, means for connecting said tools to said framewhereby each of said to-ols may raise and fall independently of theothers, certain of said connections engaging Certain others thereof formaintaining alignment of certain of said tools, and manually operablemeans mounted on said frame for raising all of said tools andsimultaneously disconnecting said clutch.

4. A planter comprising a frame, earth working tools carried by saidframe including a fertilizer opener, a seed opener, and a coverer, andseparate means for connecting each of said tools with said frame wherebyeach of said tools may rise and fall independently of the other, certainof said means engageable with certain others thereof for gui-ding saidfertilizer opener with respect to said seed opener.

5. A planter comprising a frame, earth working tools carried by saidframe, including a fertilizer opener, a seed opener, and a coverer,means connecting each of said tools to said frame whereby each of saidtools may be raised and lowered independently of the other, certain ofsaid connecting means engaging certain others thereof for guiding saidfertilizer openers with respect to said seed openers, and manuallyoperable means mounted on said frame for simultaneously raising andlowering all of said tools.

6. A planter comprising a frame, earth working tools carried by saidframe including a fertilizer opener, a seed opener, and a coverer, meansfor connecting each of said tools to said frame whereby each of saidtools may riseA and fall independently of the other, the connections ofcertain of said tools engageable with the connections of certain othersof said tools for guiding one of said tools with respect to the otherthereof, means for independently adjusting said tools, and means forcollectively adjusting said tools.

7. A planter comprising a frame, a seed furrow opener carried by saidframe, a fertilizer opener carried by said frame and adapted to` riseand fall independently of said seed furrow opener, two longitudinallyextending spaced apart bars for connecting said seed opener with saidframe, and a longitudinally extending member connecting sai-d fertilizeropener with said frame and extending between said bars for maintainingsaid fertilizer opener in proper alignment with. said seed furrowopener.

8. A planter comprising a frame, a seed furrow opener carried by saidframe, a fertilizer opener carried by said frame and adapted to rise andfall independently of said seed furrow opener, two longitudinallyextending spaced apart bars for connecting said seed opener with saidframe, and a longitudinally extending member connecting said fertilizeropener with said frame and extending between said bars for guiding saidfertilizer opener with respect to said seed furrow opener, and a singlemanually operable lever mounted on said frame for simultaneouslyadjustin-g both of said openers.

RUDOLPH J. ALTGELT. CAMERON H. GEMBERLING.

